Posts tagged ‘Chicagoland’
Life’s a Beach – If You Want it!
by Astra Spider
I couldn’t resist the reference to this fun, vintage motto from the 80’s!
But it’s true. Life’s a Beach – if you intend for it to be one!
We create our day-to-day living from what we decide to be, do, and act upon in every moment.
What if we all decided to relax, regroup and enjoy?
I remember many a hot summer’s day of childhood spent at Lake Michigan – the coolness of her magic waters, the warmth from the sun – the sudden gray of the sky as the sun would temporarily disappear behind the clouds. Laying on a blanket waiting for the golden light to reappear. The tropical scent of 70’s suntan lotion flowing through the air.
There was not much to worry about. There still isn’t. If we want it.
Relaxing, resting, playing. My favorite was to turn cartwheels in the wet sand at the shore over and over, and then turn around and look back at the prints that were made by hands and feet – hands and feet….and then, go get a treat from the ice-cream truck, or a snow cone from one of the vendors with their cool snow-cone vending bicycle contraptions – choosing the flavors and watching the bright colors of the syrup fill the frosty cone with beauty.
Now again I am deciding, in the energy of resting, relaxing, playing – I want it.
My Life’s a Beach. Is yours? Tell us all about it!
Love!
Astra
To Judge or Not to Judge…I Choose Not to….
by Astra Spider
I have been “accused” of, and judged about, seeing only what I want to see.
This makes me smile. The statement is not accurate. But I do understand how it may seem this way!
The reason for this judgment is due to the Order in which I perceive things – it’s not that I see some things and do not see others; it’s that I first see the essence of a person or situation. And this essence is always beautiful.
This does not mean that I don’t notice underlying “issues” or darkness – it means that I am not bothered by these things. One of Earth’s “rules” has been: There can be no light without darkness. We would not know what to call light, had we not also witnessed the dark.
I embrace the beauty of both.
Now as the Universe is shifting and expanding, and more light is coming in, I feel it in my body – there is an almost constant vibrational buzz. I am told by the Universe this will be calming down a bit after the new year begins…that the shifts will continue, but that we will be feeling them in a more slow, flowing manner – rather than these almost shocking jumps and starts that I have heard many folks talking about – and that I myself have been experiencing.
With these Universal shifts come new perceptions.
My experience for some time, as I said, has been to see the essence of a person or situation – and love it for its beauty. However, the “old earth” aspect of my perception was that there was often still judgement attached. I would see and love the beauty, but then would fall into the old mind-chatter of judging the reasons why a person did what they did, or why something happened a certain way.
The new way that has been blossoming in me is that I no longer identify with the old way of judgment. This doesn’t mean I don’t “care” if something unhelpful is happening, or that I allow unhelpful people to enter my domain. I take care of my energy. But, no matter what is happening around me, it is not for me to judge. Judgment is a block to abundance – so I will no longer have judgment in my life or in my heart. This is my choice.
And when anyone judges me, it makes me smile – for I see that I am being a mirror for whatever they need to work out inside themselves – and that is their responsibility.
Astra Spider & ClareShale Mountain Star:
THE EMPOWERMENT SHAMANS
Abundant Heart: Breakthrough Success in Your Life and Art
Blog – www.abundantheart.wordpress.com
Twitter – www.twitter.com/abundantheart
Facebook – www.facebook.com/abundantheart
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/astra-spider-clareshale-mountain-star/35/a05/598
Honoring Yourself
How do you connect in to your Abundance? Do you give yourself time and sacred space to go within?
Do you give yourself the space you need to feel into the desires of your heart, soul and whole self?
So often the “old ways” of society have taught us to always be active – always do something – reach outside one’s self, connect externally – be a full time care-giver for others.
All of this is important, and has its own place and special gifts – but truly we cannot be there in our most helpful capacity if we do not first take care of ourselves.
We are able to be of the highest service when we not only are seeing to our basic needs, but when we are carving out time and space to cultivate and become our highest selves – our most conscious, expanded and aware versions of our already magical beings.
The more you honor your Self, and carve out that time and sacred space for your dreamtime, the more you feel your connection to All – and the more you allow your creativity to flow. From being in a relaxed state of abundance, you are opening to the epiphanies that are ready for you to tap in to.
You are your own well of abundance.
What will you do to create your space today?
Astra Spider & ClareShale Mountain Star:
THE EMPOWERMENT SHAMANS
Abundant Heart: Breakthrough Success in Your Life and Art
Blog – www.abundantheart.wordpress.com
Twitter – www.twitter.com/abundantheart
Facebook – www.facebook.com/abundantheart
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/astra-spider-clareshale-mountain-star/35/a05/598
I’m Not Waitin’ on Roosevelt Any More
This week has been all about noticing that the things that have held me back and taken a long time to be released in the past are now just non-issues. It (finally) feels like simply having the intention and a connection to the earth beneath my feet is enough to create any state of mind I choose.
Interestingly, the art I’ve been surrounding myself with over these last few days has been all about the transformational period of human history that occurred during the 1930’s. In particular, the turning point that occurred in the hearts of Americans — when they realized that their lives were impossibly difficult and it was time to stand up and do something about it. This time was a time for organizing, striking, and demanding fair wages and safe working conditions.
Astra and I attended a showing at Victory Gardens of “Voices of the People’s History” a cinematic production inspired by the work of Howard Zinn: A People’s History of the United States, one of the best selling history books of all time. This show spans 500 years of American History. The general story is about how regular, “ordinary” people stood up throughout those years and demanded what they wanted from those “in charge.” It’s a story about the persistence and vision of the masses. This of course includes an in-depth look at the depression era social climate. The film presented a very moving reading by Danny Glover of the Langston Hughes poem “Ballad of Roosevelt”, followed by the song “Dear Mr. President” by the artist Pink. A brilliant juxtaposition.
Two days later we were back at the same theater watching “Waiting for Lefty;” a play by Clifford Odets which weaves together multiple stories from situations taking place during the depression. It’s a layered piece that peels off, one by one, veils of societal restraint; going from frustration to desperation, to despondence to anger and finally circling into inspired commitment to action. Our client Jeremy Glickstein gave a fantastic performance; I don’t want to give away anything about his role though, as it was such a great surprise! 🙂
At one point our favorite female character implores the group to “Tear down the slaughterhouses of our old lives!” I can so relate to the need to do that in my own life at times; and it totally relates to my personal theme for the week of completely letting go of whats not working. I know I’m going to remember that quote for a while. After the show we had the opportunity to chat with actor Warren Levon (“Agate”), who gave the final rousing monologue – an incredibly moving performance that brought tears to my eyes. Here’s a pic of Warren, Astra and Jeremy:
The aspect of this era that stands out for me as a shining gem is that moment when we realize: “Something must change and I need to be the one to change it.” It’s when our hearts can no longer bear the burdens and the heavy cloaks of others that have been heaped on us, and we realize that those burdens and cloaks were never ours in the first place. It’s when we give those ideas about life back to their original owners (parents, teachers, employers, etc) and allow ourselves to say: “Now I create my life as my own!”
Here is a link to that Langston Hughes poem read by Danny Glover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HADGKw_wa5E&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL2FC920682755327E
Excerpt from:
Ballad of Roosevelt
Cold winds blow
And didn’t have no
Place to go
Pa said, I’m tired
O’waitin’ on Roosevelt,
Roosevelt, Roosevelt.
Damn tired o‘ waitin’ on Roosevelt
Learning From the Pros – A Night at Victory Gardens Theater
by ClareShale Mountain Star – Abundant Heart’s Roving Shamanic Reporter
Oh wow – this past Monday night was the best! Astra and I have been so excited to check out Victory Gardens Theater, where our awesome client Jeremy Glickstein will be performing in “Waiting For Lefty” by Clifford Odets. (The show runs through October 2 so be sure to get your tickets!) We had the opportunity on Monday to attend the welcome reception and rocking presentation of Victory Gardens’ new Artistic Director, Chay Yew. The theater was lovely, the crowd was gracious and the refreshments were of course divine – however the best part was hearing Chay’s vision forward for what he would like the Victory Gardens Theater to be for Chicago: A meeting hall for the diverse communities of our city to come together and begin a dialogue. His hope is that through championing new works, diversity and young writers, bridges can be built using the transformational nature of theater. He is taking such a beautiful stand for healing in our city. Here’s Chay, third from the left, with other directors and artists talking about plans for the future:Another highlight for us was hearing poet Kevin Coval read from his new book,L-Vis Lives. It was so great to hear him share about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago during the 80’s and 90’s. I guess it’s because all those memories of early hip-hop and trendy breakfast cereal seem for me to be hidden inside my own heart – but there he was, weaving my memories into a stunning piece of poetry. Check out his website:http://kevincoval.com/kc/.
One last thing to share about our evening….We had a great chat with a Chicago actor who shared with us the title of a book (which you may be familiar with if you’ve studied acting): The Actor and The Target by Declan Donnellan. I definitely want to pick it up soon – but in the meantime there was one point that stood out during our conversation. Donnellan explains that there is no actor with greater talent or lesser talent – there are only performers who are less blocked or more blocked. He writes in the introduction: “The talent is always pumping away, like the circulation of the blood. We just have to dissolve the clot.” (p.6) That piece of advice is something I try to remember and apply in my life as a mother and shaman – I have everything I need in each and every moment, all there is for me to do is remove what is no longer helpful – what is not me, and I see the Truth: That the Universe is full of beauty and abundance and I am an integral part of that.
All in all it was a wonderful evening of sharing, learning and connecting. We are so glad we attended the event, and really look forward to some excellent theater this year from Victory Gardens!
ClareShale Mountain Star – Empowerment Shaman
Date Night in Rogers Park – Shamans Go Out To Play
I was so moved by the energy created through the musicians’ mastery of their instruments. My three favorite parts were Larry Shneider’s spirit as he rocked the upright bass, Andy Miller’s ‘magic with the mandolin’ and of course the brilliant female presence of Jessica Slater, whose vocals filled the room with power. My favorite song from the set, Diving Duck Blues, sent me into another dimension! 🙂
20 Tips to Sustainable Happiness
What do we mean by sustainable happiness?
We mean living in a state where you feel connected with your heart and joy even when challenges present themselves.
Here are 20 tips we want to share with you that have helped us be in our sustainable happiness:
-Approach life from a state of calm
-Rest between each activity to take a few deep breaths
-Breath has the capacity to alter the tone of any moment: Breathe with intention
-Several times a day, take a moment to connect with your heart and check in to see what it desires
-Remember that if something does not feel good in your heart, you can make a different choice
-Take time out to sit and Be, and feel your essence flowing through your body
-Know that if something feels like a challenge, you can face it, going through it in a way that feels good in your heart; and understanding that allowing yourself to fully process the challenge actually helps strengthen your heart
-Recognize that the challenges which present themselves on a daily basis are opportunities to uncover more of who you are
-Connect to your soul’s purpose and allow this knowledge to color and fill your days with what makes your soul sing – for this is why you are here!
-Understand that your abundance is already here, and you can learn to cultivate it
-Comprehend the abundance of all that you already have in your life, and open your arms to welcome even more of your Joy
-Allow yourself daily to contemplate your connection with all things on Earth; animal, vegetable and mineral
-Whenever the opportunity presents itself – walk barefoot on the earth
-Remember that you are a sovereign being – responsible only for what occurs for You
-Speak and defend what is True for You
-Be present in each moment
-Say No and Yes when it feels right for You
-Remember that anything is possible, and let yourself create
-Be sure that making time for YOURSELF is at the top of your To Do list
-The power of Love is unending, so when in doubt: Love
These tips have helped us grow and become stronger in who we are.
They help in the present moment and we see how they have assisted us over time as well. Employ these as often as possible, and please share your experiences with us! We would love to hear from you!
To your happiness!
Astra and ClareShale